“The European Union’s exemption for trade in traditional Inuit and aboriginal seal products is not effective, particularly in the face of a larger market collapse,” said Aglukkaq. “Our government is taking this case to the World Trade Organization to protect the right of Inuit people to sell products from their traditional, sustainable seal hunt.”

Last month, China agreed to import Canadian seal meat and oil in a deal the federal government hopes will create new markets for the embattled industry.

National Inuit Leader Mary Simon applauded the government’s decision to proceed with the WTO challenge.

She said the case will complement a challenge to the ban lauched in the European Court of Justice by the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, which represents Canada’s 53,000 Inuit.